Charlie Villaseñor, chairman of Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA), has been officially appointed as Senior Supply Chain Advisor under the Long Term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP), an initiative led by the United States Department of State.
The LEAP Program envisions an efficient and effective infectious disease programs embedded in each country’s governing health body that have the right technical expertise necessary to tackle infectious disease epidemics.
In this strategic role, Villaseñor will provide significant expertise to fortify public health supply chains, working and supporting the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH). The appointment comes at a critical time as global healthcare systems face increasing complexity, requiring ethical, efficient and e-enabled supply chain to ensure the delivery of life-saving commodities.
Villaseñor, a recognized global leader in procurement and supply chain management, noted that his decision to accept the role was driven by a commitment to national service and a strong belief in the current leadership of the DOH.
“I took on this additional role and responsibility because it offers a unique opportunity to serve our country’s public health programs,” Villaseñor stated. “I am particularly motivated by the vision of DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa. His desire and push to address and modernize the supply chain—especially as it grows more complex—is exactly what the country needs right now.”
Villaseñor also extended his gratitude to Undersecretary Randy Escolango, describing him as a “supportive and dynamic driver” of the DOH Supply Chain programs, whose leadership has been instrumental in aligning international expertise with local health objectives.
With decades of experience in navigating volatile markets and various industries, Villaseñor’s advisory role will focus on building a resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme disruptions. His mandate is to improve the end to end supply chain, procurement and logistics.
It also includes the following:
* Modernizing Supply Chain: Streamlining the planning, procurement and flow of medical supplies nationwide.
* Crisis Readiness: Developing “stress-test” protocols for outbreaks, pandemics, and geopolitical instabilities.
* Future-Proofing: Ensuring the system is scalable for future generations.
“An efficient supply chain is most critical during times of severe challenge—be it outbreaks or even wars,” Villaseñor added.
“We are doing this for our children and the generations to come. A secure supply chain isn’t just about business; it’s about saving lives.”
